They come together for solace, security and safety on a rainy Thursday night in February.

It doesn’t really work and as we learn a few weeks later, there’s nothing safe about being homeless. It’s harsh and deadly.

One of the men is laying down in a dark green or dark brown sleeping bag. It’s hard to tell as he’s hunched up in the doorway of the Catherine Street Baptist Church, out of the rain, out of the streetlights.

None of those we meet are keen on giving names so I christen them all. I name the man in the doorway of the Baptist church John, after the Bible’s most famous Baptist.

John pokes his head up briefly as we talk to the group of men in the doorway, some sitting, one standing, others milling about.

Homeless people have been sleeping in tents at Devils Point (Image: Penny Cross)

She turns to me and my photographer, Penny. She seems distressed at the sight of the homeless men hanging about the doorway of the Baptist Church.

“This is my church” she explains with a pained face.

I say it must be sad to see such a sight, nodding my head towards the homeless men.

She appears to agree, but her next few comments makes me think it’s more a bother to her and her fellow church-goers rather than a humanitarian scandal. She explains they’ve been told they shouldn’t really be there and they are not always cleared away by the morning when the congregation turn up.

There is a sense that this is tolerated out of Christian goodness, but the toleration is wearing as thin as the sleeping bag John is laying inside.

She heads off back to her clutch of parishioners, standing at the rear entrance of the Unitarian Church.

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There is little warmth or comfort from the elements (Image: Penny Cross)

Our erstwhile interpreter Dave appears well prepared for the bitter cold weather which is being predicted. His clothes bear reputable camping brands. He is tall, dark haired and arguably good looking.

But he speaks in the saddest and most melancholy of voices.

He admits that though he has a small place to sleep, but he won’t reveal its whereabouts or whether it is on the street or in a property. He tells me he returns to Catherine Street to check in with his former street-colleagues.

He explains in his low, soft voice, he wants to ensure they are okay, that they are not being targeted or attacked again by a group of marauding youths who have made it their new sport in recent weeks to torment the city’s homeless.

I ask if he now feels safer in his new location, wherever that may be.

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'John' living in his tent in Plymouth city centre, his wooden staff always in reach in case of unwanted attacks (Image: Penny Cross)

He proudly states he was able to drive them back towards the CCTV cameras near the magistrates court. Although he accepts that while it may scared the youngsters into fearing they would be prosecuted, he said it’s unlikely the police will be bothered enough to even look at the footage.

At this point we are joined by another Polish man. He’s calls himself Christopher, saying that his real name of Krzysotof would be too difficult for me to say.

He too said he had been confronted by the threatening youngsters when he was homeless before he pours out a litany of deeply personal details.

He tells me he’s alcohol dependent and is having seizures which are getting longer. He’s says he’s trying to get off alcohol and is working with Harbour and Hamoaze. He claims that thanks to his doctor he now “has a bed” but comes along to Catherine Street church to check in on his friends and ensure they are safe.

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Lithuanian Peter has been sleeping on the streets in the city centre (Image: Penny Cross)

Thanks to his terrible health condition, suffering depression and his battle with alcohol addiction, he said his doctor was able to finally convince the authorities to provide him accommodation.

Original John wishes me well as we head off and we give nods and handshakes to the others.

By the doorway of the church, I can only see the top of John the Baptist’s head, poking out of his sleeping bag.

It’s the last time I saw him.

But of course, it wasn’t ‘John’ I saw that last time.

It’s only after he’s found dead in the street by his fellow homeless colleagues on a freezing cold night a few weeks later that I learn his real name is Henryk Smolarz.

‘John’ never really existed and, tragically, predictably, to many people in Plymouth, neither did Henryk.

A simple hand-made wooden cross placed by a growing tribute of flowers and candles to Henryk (Image: Charlotte Turner)

Flowers and candles alerted Plymouth people to the tragic news (Image: Charlotte Turner)

How to help the homeless in Plymouth

1. Volunteer

There are many groups and organisations in Plymouth doing their utmost to tackle homelessness.

And a lot of them are always on the outlook for more people willing to give up a bit of their time to help in any way they can.

One Devon charity, Shekinah, is seen as a lifeline to many of Plymouth's homeless, which is a number increasing each year. The charity's drop-in centre, soup run and employability services are all much needed.

If you have some spare time and would like to support Shekinah by volunteering, then there are many opportunities to do so, including kitchen support and reception work. Click here to apply.

2. Buy them a cup of tea and have a chat

We are all human beings, and people living on the streets are no different.

It can be very lonely, and a lot of people would welcome a chat and a warm drink. Just five minutes of your time can go a long way.

If you feel comfortable doing so, buying someone a hot drink or even a meal is an easy way of showing someone else some kindness.

3. Think twice about giving money

Not everyone who is begging is homeless and not everyone who is homeless begs for money.

Police officers in Plymouth say kind-hearted people give cash to beggars thinking they are helping those who are down on their luck and homeless.

But they stress many are actually drug and alcohol addicts who do have somewhere to live.

These people then, police said, simply use the cash to pay for more drugs and booze and put their health – and lives – at risk.

"We ask that if you feel compelled to give money, that you do so by giving it to charity," said PC Dave Ryland.

Don't know who to donate to? Shekinah, Path, Shelter, Crisis and Homeless Link are just a few.

4. Help someone wrap up warm

Cold weather conditions can prove fatal for people sleeping on the streets. The average age of death for a homeless person is just 47.

Donating to food banks also helps, because it can mean the difference between someone paying their rent with money rather than buying food and ending up homeless.

If you are organising a large collection of donations, call Shekinah to see if they can help with transportation.

5. Campaign for change

Homelessness is not an issue that's just going to stop overnight, but the problem is only going to get worse unless there's long-term change.

This could be changes in council or Government policy to enable the creation of more social or affordable homes for homeless people, or Government funding of the charities involved. Or it could mean changes in the law that need reviewing.

John Hamblin, CEO at Shekinah, is on a mission to end homelessness which is becoming increasingly harder with Government cuts and the cost of living rising – but he feels it can happen.

He said: "If we keep saying it will never happen – then it will never happen. People sleeping on the streets is wrong. I will strive to try and end homelessness."

Late last year The Herald focused its Big Debate on homelessness. The debate was hosted by the Herald's advanced content writer Sarah Waddington and focused on what causes homelessness, how the city is helping the homeless population and plans for the future.

She was joined by John Hamblin, chief executive of the city’s biggest homeless charity Shekinah, Steve Ricketts, Plymouth City Council cabinet member for transport and housing delivery, and Gary Nash.

6. Donate to charity

Be it money or essential items, it will go a long way.

Shekinah is just one charity that needs your help, but there are many more. Donate today.

Are there more rough sleepers now than previously?

In January The Herald revealed how rough sleeping in Plymouth had hit record levels, nearly tripling since 2010.

The city put the number of rough sleepers in the area at 26 in Autumn 2017.

The number, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), has risen 30 percent from 20 in 2016, and is 2.9 times the nine recorded in 2010. This means that there was 0.23 people sleeping rough for every 1,000 households in the area.

The figure for rough sleepers across England was said to be 4,751 in Autumn 2017 although the national homeless charity Crisis warns the true number of rough sleepers is far greater at around 8,000 and the numbers are predicted to double again by 2026 if action is not taken. The charity said there are another 9,000 homeless people who are sleeping in tents, cars, trains and buses.

The figures also revealed how of the 4,751 rough sleepers counted in autumn 2017, 653 (14 percent) of rough sleepers were women and 370 (8 percent) of rough sleepers were under 25 years of age.

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The government figures noted that there were 760 rough sleepers (16 percent) who were EU nationals from outside the UK and 193 (4 percent) of rough sleepers were from outside the EU.

The DCLG rough sleeping counts and estimates are single night snapshots of the number of people sleeping rough in local authority areas. Local authorities decide whether to carry out a count or an estimate.

Councils are encouraged to gain intelligence for street counts and estimates from local agencies such as outreach workers, the police, the voluntary sector and members of the public who have contact with rough sleepers on the street.

There are many practical difficulties in counting the number of rough sleepers within the area of a local authority. It is not possible to cover the entire area of a local authority in a single evening, so counts will be targeted to areas according to local intelligence.

As well as this, rough sleepers may bed down at different times meaning that some may be missed. Some places of rough sleeping may be difficult or unsafe for those conducting the count to access.

Where homeless people can get help

Information from Plymouth City Council

Plymouth Access to Housing (PATH)

PCC funds PATH's Rough Sleepers Team to help people on the streets in Plymouth get into accommodation. PATH also offer a range of services to reduce and prevent homelessness. Visit the PATH website or call 01752 255889 for more information.

Shelter

Shelter give free, expert advice on issues such as homelessness, rent arrears and what to do if your rented home is in need of repair. Its solicitors can help with free, confidential legal advice for anyone eligible for legal aid. Visit the Shelter website or call 0344 515 2399 for more information.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army offers hostel accommodation for single people with support needs. All age groups are accepted but PCC will need to refer you. Email housingoptions@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 305496.

Plymouth soup run

The soup run starts daily at 9.15pm by Charles Cross Police Station, then moves to the 'wedding cake' on The Hoe for around 9.30pm, then Devil’s Point at 9.45pm, ending at Kings Road (by Stonehouse Bridge) at approximately 10pm. Visit the Plymouth soup run website, email info@plymouthsouprun.org.uk or call 01752 404134 for more information.